29 SEPTEMBER 2009 - SIR JIMMY PROMOTES WAR OF THE ROSES BOXING [YRRT]. Sir Jimmy Savile spent time with the regiment's boxers to help promote the Wars of the Roses charity dinner night.

The former wrestler, DJ and famous son of Leeds, met up with boxers from YORKS and LANCS outside Saviles. The Yorkshire Regiment boxers included Private Beck, Corporals Gill and McClaren - all from 3rd Battalion - were supported on the day by members of Field Team 3 of the Regimental Recruiting Team. The event takes place on 12 November in the Leeds Armouries.

23 SEPTEMBER 2009 - A SHORT UPDATE FROM AMBER 40 IN AFGHANISTAN [2 YORKS]. Now the 2nd Battalion has taken over from 2 MERCIANS, some are finding time to write back to the UK. 'Amber 40' Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) are made up of members of B, C and Support Companies and are commanded by Major Roe who collectively mentor the Afghan National Army in the Lashkar Ghar and Babiji region of Helmand Province.

As you would imagine at this time of year, it's hot and tiring work, but AMBER 40 is performing strongly and relishing the challenge of working with the Afghans. The outgoing unit, 2 MERCIAN, provided a first rate four-day training package, which allowed all ranks to hone their skills and understand the local situation before deploying onto the ground. All were reassured that their pre-deployment training was spot on and acknowledged that it had prepared them fully for the rigours of the coming months.

We all owe 2 MERCIAN a huge debt of thanks for their patience, encouragement and practical help during the handover. They really did do a super job and have helped line AMBER 40 up for operational success. With all teams now in their forward locations, the officers and soldiers of AMBER 40 are making tangible progress with their Afghan counterparts. Despite language and cultural barriers, relations are growing stronger by the day and they are helping make the area a safer place for generations to come. All agree that it's rewarding, enjoyable and important work. Although we miss family, friends and 'Strictly Come Dancing', it's hugely important for Afghanistan's future that we put our shoulder to the task during our deployment.

Despite the ever-present dangers, spirits are high and all members of the OMLT possess a real sense of purpose. Please continue to send letters and welfare packages (via the Welfare Office) - they mean an enormous amount to those deployed forward in an austere patrol base (PB) or those in the relative comfort of a forward operating base (FOB). Thank you all for your continued support, prayers and words of encouragement. Further updates to follow when access to a computer permits or when 'speckled Jim,' the AMBER 40 racing pigeon, becomes sufficiently acclimatised to make the long dash home to the North East with news (... he's currently on a special pigeon treadmill wearing a bin bag)!

22 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 'FIRST IN - LAST OUT' YORKSHIRE TROOPS RECEIVE OP TELIC MEDALS [3 YORKS]. Warminster-based Alma Company, 3 YORKS, have received Operation Telic medals for their recent three-month tour of duty in Baghdad.

The 114 men formed the last combat sub unit to leave Iraq at the end of the UK mission in July this year. Included among them were a number of soldiers who were part of the initial invasion force in 2003 and deployed again in 2005. Read the full story here.

22 SEPTEMBER 2009 - BBC PANORAMA PROGRAMME [2 YORKS]. Newsnight has been filming A Company 2 YORKS for the past four months. They will follow the progress of the soldiers and their families through a six month tour in Helmand. The first in a series of stories can be seen tonight on BBC2 and online via the BBC Panorama pages.

22 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 'ALMA' ENTRY OFFER. The Green Howards Museum, in Richmond is offering free entry from today until 27 September to all people called Alma. The offer is to mark the 155th anniversary of the Battle of the Alma, the 19th Foot's first battle honour.

21 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 1ST BATTALION JOIN PADERBORN PARADE [1 YORKS]. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion joined men and women from 20th Armoured Brigade (The Iron Fist), to marked their return from operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo by parading through their Garrison town of Paderborn, Germany.

Read the full Defence News story.

20 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 4TH BATTALION IN BATUS FOR MEDMAN 4 [4 YORKS]. Approximately two hundred Territorial Army (TA) soldiers from 4th Battalion are spending a unique training camp at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in the Canadian Province of Alberta. The TA soldiers are participating in armoured infantry exercises across hundreds of kilometres of Canadian Prairie - the first time a TA Infantry Battalion has participated in a major BATUS exercise.

The annual training camp will continue for the next fortnight and will see them spend the entire two weeks on the prairie in field training conditions. Hopefully, the weather will remain warm but towards the end of the month temperatures are expected to plummet during the night.

20 SEPTEMBER 2009 - REGIMENTAL ANNIVERSARY - ALMA DAY. In 1854 war was declared on Russia and the 19th Regiment of Foot landed at Old Fort, on the Crimean peninsula, on 14th September. Two days later it started its march towards Sevastapol, 27 miles away, which was its objective. The first serious fight between the Allies and the Russians took place during the crossing of the Alma by the Allies on 20th September.

In Helmand Province, 2 YORKS Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) Battle Group carried out a relief in place with the 2 MERCIAN OMLT BG. The day had added significance, in that both Regiments celebrate Alma Day. The two Regiments had stood shoulder to shoulder during the Crimean War when their antecedent regiments, the Green Howards and the 95th Derbyshires, fought in the assault over the Alma River and later in the capture of the Great Redoubt.

Today is celebrated across the Regiment and in particular in the 2nd Battalion and B Company 4th Battalion. Click here for more information about this Regimental Anniversary.

16 SEPTEMBER 2009 - FUNERAL OF PRIVATE JOHNATHON YOUNG. The funeral of Private Johnathon Young took place in Hull. Among the congregation in The Holy Trinity Church, which was full of family and friends, were the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the Lord Mayor of Hull and the local MP, Diane Johnson. The Colonel of the Regiment was represented by Major General Binns.

There was tremendous support from fellow soldiers of the 3rd Battalion and over 30 Branch Standards organised by the Royal British Legion paraded.

14 SEPTEMBER 2009 - NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN 1940 - TV DOCUMENTARY. A Norwegian film company, Ekko Films is currently seeking British veterans who participated in the ill-fated campaign of April 1940 and are currently putting together a historical documentary for a forthcoming TV program detailing the events in Norway during 1940; German and Norwegian veterans are also being interviewed.

If you would like to be considered for interview then Ekko Films would be very pleased to hear from veterans who served with the Royal Navy, British Army or the RAF and participated in the Norwegian Campaign.

All interviews will be conducted with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

If you would like to be considered then please contact: Mr Robert Pearson, 21 Meadowvale Close, Ipswich, IP4 4HE. Telephone: 01473 716380

13 SEPTEMBER 2009 - REGIMENTAL ANNIVERSARY - QUEBEC DAY. Today marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Quebec which took place on 13 September 1759. During the battle the 15th Foot, later the East Yorkshires, held the left flank of General Wolfe's battle line when he laid siege to the French held Canadian city. On the surrender of the French, the Colonel of the 15th was made Governor of the city and since that day the Regiment, and in particular the 1st Battalion, remembers one of the most celebrated victories of the 18th century and the sad loss of General Wolfe.

12 SEPTEMBER 2009 - TERRITORIALS DEPLOY TO CANADA ON ANNUAL TRAINING [4 YORKS]. Forty soldiers of the 4th Battalion spearheaded the Battalion's initial deployment to the Suffield Training Area in Alberta, Canada. The spare time soldiers, commanded by Major Jeremy Dodd, formed the Battalion's advanced guard to join Exercise MEDMAN 4 for their annual training camp. The Battalion Commander and main body will follow one week later to spend a fortnight acting as opposing forces to an armoured battle group.

This is the first time a Territorial Infantry Battalion has been deploy on exercise to the British Army Training Unit in Suffield (BATUS) as part of their annual camp. The spare time soldiers will assist 2nd Royal Tank Regiment (2 RTR) act as enemy forces to test 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales (2 WELSH) Battle Group in a series of exercises to prepare them for future deployments as an armoured infantry unit.

11 SEPTEMBER 2009 - CAPTAIN DANIEL PAUL HOLLOWAY MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES. Captain Dan Holloway has been recognised today with a Mentioned in Dispatches for his service as part of 3 Commando Brigade Task Force that deployed to Afghanistan in autumn 2008. He was employed in the 1 RIFLES Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) Battle Group, commanding one of the small teams that train and fight alongside the Afghan National Army.

To see the full list of today's Operational Honours and Awards, visit the Defence News site.

9 SEPTEMBER 2009 - SECOND BATTALION DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN [2 YORKS]. Up to 400 soldiers from 2nd Battalion have commenced their deployment to Afghanistan after saying goodbye to loved ones at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire.

They will take on the role of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT). The purpose of the team is to develop the capabilities and maximise the effectiveness of the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Read the full MOD Press release.

8 SEPTEMBER 2009 - SNAITHFEST BREWS FUNDS FOR YORKS CHARITY. Snaithfest is an annual live music festival hosted by the Bell and Crown public house in Snaith. Landlord Ray Heath and Great Heck Brewery boss Densil Vallance have come together to donate a specially produced beer to Help for Heroes and the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund.

The pub will play host to musicians and fans between 11-13 September in an event in its eleventh year. The weekend features some of the finest original and covers artists in the area.

Densil said, "we are brewing a special beer, sales of which will go to support the charities and we have named the beer 'Fortune Favours The Brave' in honour of the Yorkshire Regiment." Ray and Densil expect to raise over £1500 for the charities by selling the brew. If you're in the area why not drop in and show your support.

7 SEPTEMBER 2009 - FUNERAL OF PRIVATE JOHNATHON YOUNG [3 YORKS]. Private Johnathon Young is to be buried with full Military Honours on Wednesday 16th September. It will take place at 1230 hrs (all personnel are asked to be seated by 1210 hrs) in Holy Trinity Church, South Church Side, Hull, HU1 1RR and be followed by a burial at Hull Northern Cemetery, Chanterlands Avenue, HU5 4EF.

Serving officers attending are to wear Service Dress with Medals and Leather. No swords. Black Arm Bands. Warrant Officers attending are to wear No.2 Dress, Medals and black Arm Bands, Sashes and drop belts where applicable. Other Ranks are to wear jacket and tie (Regimental or black).

Family flowers only, donations to the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF). Those attending are invited to a Reception afterwards at the University of Hull.